A book was placed in front of me, the cover depicting a bloody battle. One of a race I couldn't identify and one of the dolls that I came to know. It was a bloody cover and if I was right there was actual blood spilled on the cover.

Inscriptions marked the sides, telling a story that I could not translate, however just by the context of the cover I could tell that it was not a happy one. Most likely of blood and war. Of betrayal and deceit.

"This town.. it was a bastion against our creators. The very ones that took all our freedom away. That bound us to their wills." His eyes closed, as if reminiscing some long past days. Maybe an ancestor that sat across from the same book and regaled him with grand tales.

I let him stew in that feeling, moments passing on before a sigh echoed through the room, the book opening without me needing to interfere.

His voice was soft, pointing to equations and inscriptions, "You see this, outsiders, this.. this is the creation of our race."

It depicted the methods and materials used, yet failed to show in detail how they had souls or even if they were meant to have one. My eyes trailed the blueprints, wondering.

Were they just tools, like AI was to us. Or were they more. If they were AI then it could have been a sudden combustion leading to their soul but then what about offspring.

I knew they could reproduce but what did that say.

I furrowed my brows in thought however said nothing. Instead I just gestured for him to continue.

And continue he did.

"We were first loyal to the creators, we did everything for them, whether it be their research or household works. However it was not to last. Our ancestors rebelled. The living conditions, the sadistic needs they came up with. All part of our rebellion, all told to the new generations. However that is not truly the reason. It was our superiority, we had developed beyond the servants of our creators."

The pages flipped, each of them showing grand scenes of architecture and technology, of space and the weapons that helped them.

However past a certain point it started to show scenes of war, of barbarism beyond imagination. Of the mass eradication. It all culminated in the death of the last surviving mother.

One that knew they were the last, tears in her eyes as she held the last remaining boy of their race.

"Even he was exterminated, however with our new freedom we enjoyed a life of debauchery, our technology and knowledge fading with no use for it. To today we still discover lost relics, things that we do not know how to use but that is beside the point. This village was one that was to protect one of those very.." He trailed off as if he had spoken too much yet I did not push.

"We were protected by one of their creations, from what we know it is relatively low on the scale yet it is unstoppable. The combined might of every kingdom would not be able to scratch its hide yet you killed it."

He looked up to us, his eyes in resignation.

"The dragon, it was your protector." I say, "but why did you not care if we killed it? In fact you seemed relieved."

He sighs again, his features looking hundreds of years older.

"If it were just a decade or two earlier then I would have been outraged, I would have tried to kill you damn the consequences however that is not true now."

Another page in the book turns, this time showing the growth of the dragon. How it obeyed commands and did what it deemed right for this city.

"It was a decade.. it was it two, no matter, back then something happened. Our protector grew restless."

Again a page turned this time the scene was not a simple one. It was a rapidly growing dragon. One that seemed to grow lazy as the days passed by.

Various dolls made their way to him yet nothing was done. The next page flipped and another scene was seen.

It was not a happy one, death and blood it was all that was there.

The citizens of this very town were pillaged, their guardian abandoning them.

"We were abandoned, the dragon as he no longer is our protector, demanded sacrifices. A maiden a month."

This time the picture showed a smiling figure, one with a nuns outfit that seemed to be praying to the dragon. However in the next page her bones were found, the life sucked from her.

"Brave volunteer after volunteer gave themselves up one by one until no longer were any willing."

"But why?" I asked, "why did you give in to his demands, surely you could have relocated or done something?"

"It is not so simple, BOY, do not degrade our sacrifice. We of this town are a proud bunch. We watch over the last remaining artif-" he cut himself off there but I was now curious, curious on what this artifact was.

However I did not push, instead I let him stew in his slip of tongue before he continued.

"Either way -cough- we must stay and the dragon was our only protection. It was why we gave in, he protected us."

I nod at that before standing up to leave. I had gotten what I wanted from here and would get no more out of this man.

..

"That artifact.. I want it" Delta said as we departed the town.

"I know, but wait we still do not know where or what it is"

Delta just nodded seemingly pacified at my words.

I could have just forced the issue but I didn't want to do that.

Now that I had ownership of the realm it was time to start consolidating my power.

Before I had recklessly been running to new horizons to accumulate power but now that I had enough I needed to rule these realms under my fist.

Well not completely but I would not tolerate dissent.

Though all of this was going to start with this town.

It was a perfect place, situated around all of the kingdoms. Most likely why they were having problems in the first place.

Most of them probably wanted this as a forward operating town however that was not going to happen as long as I was here.

I would take over this town diplomatically, it would not do for me to make such a bad impression on my new citizens.

However before that could happen, now that I had complete ownership I could call forth my other subordinates.

They would help with the war effort and there would be war. I would conquer these dolls and bring them into a golden age. Kicking and screaming if I must.

[Teleport to Darwinism]

[Yes]

[No]

I clicked on the yes button all the while holding the bodies of both Delta and Aoif.historical

..

In a flash of light we were back, the familiar scent of the earth around us tickling my nose.

I saw Tama commanding her subordinates to do something, what that was I did not hear.

It wasn't that I couldn't just that I didn't want to.

I walked up to her, my footsteps light so as to try and surprise her. Yet that did not happen.

"Darwin!" She shouted before proceeding to glomp me with her body.

"You're back."

I hummed in affirmation, my own arms hugging her body close to mine.

I could feel a gaze behind me, Aoif's, of jealousy. However it had no heat to it, instead it was just jealous at the hug I was giving to Tama.

I knew she understood why I was doing this, yet I still felt a flicker of disappointment in myself at what I did.

As if sensing this Aoif strode up tk me and whispered in my ear.

"I do not care, just do not forget me"

I nodded before separating from Tama and pulling Aoif into my embrace. I sat down next to a tree and pat the ground next to me, signaling for Tama to follow suit.

"I've conquered the realm." I begin, drawing a smile from Tama.

"That's great!"

I just shake my head, "No, I have no control over the people there. I do not know what to do other than to conquer. I need advice."

At that last word I look up to her, the summon apart from Ali that was with me for the longest.

For a moment we just sat there, Tama looking off into space and I looking to her for advice.

Her golden eyes gazed from the sun to me, her mouth opening to talk.

"My Lord," she stood up, her head looking down at me, "Do your best, take all that you want. Govern how you want."

I looked up to her, loyalty radiating from her eyes.

A hand reached out to me, I took it in my hand.

"I will always be beside you, your sword and shield. Your tool."